Christianity – Page 9 – B Is for Blessed!

Get Over It!

I was speaking with my oldest son about making good choices and telling him not to make the same mistakes I had. In his teenage wisdom, this kid told me to “get over it.”

If one of my kids tells me to “get over it,” there is a huge problem. My first instinct was to look behind me and see exactly who he was talking to!

God spoke to me through my child. It is hardly the first time He has done that.

I suspect most of us have an “it” that holds the potential to keep us from God’s very best. Sometimes a painful reminder, or being tired and cranky allows our “it” to rear its ugly head.

Regret can morph into resentment and erode any forgiveness we “think” we have given.

When we don’t “get over it” once and for all our “it” will surely find its way back to us.

We are taught to forgive others as God forgives us.

Yet, often the hardest person to forgive is our self.

We may readily forgive others yet still cling to our own mistakes wondering about what could have been instead of what can be.

Abraham was instructed to leave his family and go forth into a new place God had for him. Still, Abraham took his nephew Lot with him. Eventually, that didn’t go very well and Lot received the best of the land that was divided between them.

Abraham got over it.

Abraham knew that whatever he had with God was far more than anything Lot could take away from him.

We would all do well to remember this very thing.

Whatever we lose, or mistake we make is insignificant compared to God’s best.

In our weakness, He is strong.

Bury the past in an unmarked grave and concentrate on new opportunities God can provide this year.

Get over it and get moving.

God is waiting on you!

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”
Philippians 3:13-15 NKJV

*** If you have lost your resolve and your resolutions fell by the wayside, simply pick them up.

Each day is a new opportunity to begin again…

Light, Camera, Action…

Great light is crucial for most photographers. As an amateur, I regularly seek proper lighting. Photographers lust after and chase after just the right light well aware of the role it plays for noteworthy images.

God’s Light is no different. It is crucial for us. We may not readily recognize it but God’s illumination and revelation are what we crave to reach our full potential.

This year, I decided I want to do more than chase light.

I want to create it.

So, I enrolled in an annual photography class that meets next week. It is the same class I’ve considered the past two years but never dared rearranged my schedule to attend.

One of my best friends posted New Year’s Day, “Nothing changes when nothing changes.”

I will talk less and listen more. I will allow God to lead me instead going my own way. I will rearrange my priorities.

These are a few things I’m doing differently to avail myself to more of God’s Light this year.

Some would say my goals are unnecessary.

And they are, for salvation.

Still, what I have to gain far exceeds my efforts, just as the work required to create an image doesn’t feel like “work” when the desired photograph is successfully captured.

I want to develop into all God wants of me.

Nothing changes when nothing changes.

Choose to change.

Circumstances may appear unchangeable, yet, altering our attitudes, expectations and actions often allows miracles to find us.

Start small and keep going.

And should you stop, choose to begin again.

May we all see good God’s Light in 2016.

Happy New Year!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27: 1 NKJV

Merry Christmas

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be the sign to you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:12-14

God, Highways and Trust Issues…

I hate the highway.

Still, I won’t allow my fear of reckless drivers and potential dangers to keep me off the road and away from family. We can sit on the sidelines of life or choose to keep moving in spite of our fears. Then there are other times God doesn’t give us a choice, when we are forced to move forward, clueless as to what the future holds.

My family and I took a pre-Thanksgiving road trip. I sat in the very back of the SUV where I could not see a thing. This is a VERY big deal for me. I could only trust God to get us there safely, pray about it and then I went to sleep. There is only one other time in twenty-three years that I slept while my husband drove. I’m sure he appreciated the absence of “watch out, slow down, and be careful!”

Our relationship with God requires complete trust. It is the only way we can survive all that comes against us and stay sane. We cannot accomplish all the things we are born for through our own abilities. We will never have all the skill, talent or know how to get everything done. What we can have is complete trust that God has “got it,” whatever our particular “it” is at the time.

In the ten hour ride from Maryland, I had to cast off fears, shrug off discomfort and resign myself that I was not in control. I was forced to be still, be patient and trust. Funny how this particular lesson pops up for me time and time again. We must trust God through our trials if we are ever to reap the rewards of our journey.

I cannot trust God with my everything, and yet attempt to micro-manage every facet of my life.

God will not allow that.

Just like physical endurance, spiritual growth isn’t born from comfort and contentment. It usually arises out of consistent exercise and a bit of unease.

Our trip to visit family had a definitive beginning and end. Other journeys in life aren’t always as clear. We may not see what lies beyond the horizon, but it is faith that keeps us moving. I believe if God revealed everything that lay ahead, we would never have courage enough to take those first steps!

Godspeed in your holiday travels. May they be merry and bright. And if you can’t quite see where you are headed, choose to trust God and enjoy the journey!

Merry Christmas!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Just an observation…

Yesterday I took a walk to not only shake a few pounds but stimulate my brain. As I’m enjoying the fresh air, I am struck by the wide variety of trees and leaves and how beautiful they all are.

It then occurs to me, why can’t we appreciate people the same way?

The woods I walk past are God planted, not man-made. The trees appear randomly placed. There are all kinds, shapes and colors. Some are evergreen magnolias, short scrub oaks, lanky pines and majestic maples. There are even more I can’t even name.

A few of them shed their leaves months ago. Others are in various states and transform daily. Some are unchanging yet provide the backdrop for the dynamic show.

I suspect God planted these different trees together for reason. Not that I will ever know what that is, but it certainly makes for a spectacular show.

We are just as diverse as the trees I walk past. We have various body shapes, skin colors, personalities, and backgrounds. Yet, God has placed us here to share this one earth.

What if the diversity among us is intended to make humanity better as a whole?

Many of us attempt to “convert” others into what we believe is proper. We tend to hang around people who fit our mold. We gravitate toward people like us. Very rarely do most of us dare deliberately talk and mingle with people different from ourselves.

Often if we see someone who dresses unconventionally, acts a bit “odd” or lives a lifestyle we think is “crazy” we will superficially judge them and readily write them off.

I have seen creative or “artistic” people scoffed at and challenged to do something “practical” instead of nurturing the gifts God has given them.

I don’t know that we do them a favor by declaring their gifts aren’t valuable profitable. Is it truly a favor or a disservice when we can’t appreciate the talents of others and attempt to herd them into what we “think” they should be?

Not everyone is hardwired to become an accountant, a lawyer or whatever is deemed “practical” on any given day. I know many “professionals” who are miserable working outside of God’s plans for them.

What if the individual quirks that make each of us distinct are there to serve a purpose?

When we dismiss people different from ourselves we lose opportunities to learn and grow in the process.

It may mean you have to do something different or talk with someone unlike yourself to receive a blessing you don’t even know you need.

As I look around at all the various trees they remind me of the “different” people God placed in my life. They have been of various religions, nationalities, races, economic status, political affiliations and only God knows what else.

Many of them blessed me at some of the hardest times of my life. A few influenced my thinking. One in particular encouraged me to face my challenges head on. Still, others made my daily routine that much easier to bear.

With all of our differences we somehow managed to find more common ground that not.

Through each one of them, so very different from myself, I realize I’ve been blessed.

“Thus saith God, the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” Isaiah 42:5 KJV

Great and Grateful

Living here in the “Bible Belt” I read many a church sign. Some of them are witty and others are down right weird.

I did come across one that I did like. It read “A GRATEFUL MIND IS A GREAT MIND.”

As I reflected on that particular sign I thought about my various “states of mind” on any given day.

Some days I am focused.

On other’s not so much.

On occasion I can keep a very clear train of thought and accomplish much in record time. Then there are days I’m left looking around having nothing substantial to show for my efforts.

Yet, when I focus on counting my blessings, I gain clarity that at other times alludes me.

When I am grateful it puts into perspective all the minor and petty things that don’t really matter. Annoyances, headaches and temporary trials don’t compare to God’s great grace, mercy and favor.

If I did not continually count my blessings, I would get bogged down in the nonsense of the day, other people’s drama and become mired down in things that aren’t any of my business!

We must renew our minds daily as not to magnify our problems instead of God!

When we make a habit to appreciate how good God is to us, we are compelled to offer mercy, compassion and kindness as we have received it. The realization that we are not worthy but God loves us anyway should move us to love our neighbor/brother enough to not just pray for them but actually “do” for them.

Allowing our gratitude to move us into action produces great deeds and great love, the kind Jesus would have us show toward one another.

In this season of thanks, don’t merely settle for being grateful, act grateful. Allow your gratitude to move you to do something for someone else. What you may consider a small gesture can make a world of difference for someone else!

Allow gratitude to adjust your attitude.

Be grateful and B Blessed!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16:8 NKJV

Good Eats!

Apples and pears have never been my favorites. I eat them because they are good for me. They are hardly as sweet as my summertime berries, yet they fill me up and keep those hunger pains at bay. Fall fruits also last longer, aren’t nearly as fragile and help scrape out the yuck in our gut!

There comes a time to push aside those sweet things that are tasty for those heartier things that will sustain.

I love devotionals and encouraging words but we must diligently seek God and study His Word. We need all of it and not just those verses we pick and choose. It is comforting to know better days lie ahead but we must prepare as best we can to stand strong against dark days and disappointments as well.

Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and develop. Many people are led to Christ in a moment. Yet, it often takes years to transform us from who we are into who we can become.

Love, joy and peace are sweet fruits for me.

Long suffering? Not so tasty.

Faithfulness and gentleness require a bit more from me as well. It is often our trying experiences that cultivate the characteristics we lack and allow us to produce good fruit.

If we are to mature and fulfill our purpose, we must partake of some things that aren’t so sweet.

Forgiveness. Obedience. Submission.

We grow when we choose to partake of things that are good for us and not merely those things that taste good.

What are you hungry for?

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil,” Hebrews 5:13-14 NKJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV

Turning Points…

We all have times in our lives when we can look back and reflect on events or places where our lives took a turn in a singular direction. For some people this turning point is a positive. Perhaps a birth, a marriage or a graduation. For others, pivotal moments are directly related to a person who was influential in good choices made such as coach, a teacher or even a spouse.

Then there are other turning points that seemingly crush us under their weight.

Death. Failed relationships. Financial difficulties.

Our experiences, whatever they are, help mold us into the people we become. Hopefully, we learn to appreciate the good, endure the bad and gain wisdom from the lessons life has to offer.

Thankfully, we aren’t relegated to circumstances dictating our destination. Our experiences do indeed impact the people we become, but they don’t have to define us.

God allows us to decide if the experiences we are forced to endure will build us up or tear us down.

Our lives have many paths that lead to the same destination. Sometimes we take the scenic route. At others, there are painful detours. A few people actually do reach their goals with a straight sprint from point A to Z.

Yet, most of us are more likely to walk and even crawl along our way. The fact that we keep moving is all that really counts.

I am reminded, as we transition from one season to another, to allow my turning points to turn me in the right direction.

Sometimes we need to turn away from people, places and even our own negative thoughts. At others, we may need to turn toward God when we find ourselves lost, disoriented and lacking the direction we need to fulfill our purpose.

Take some time to look back on the good and give thanks. Reflect on the negatives and know that they too can serve a purpose.

Make the choice to reassess who you are and what you choose to do.

The change you seek begins with you.

If you’ve made mistakes along the way that’s fine too. Simply acknowledge them and learn from them. It is often the worst of times that eventually allow us to receive God’s very best.

It is faith that enables us to turn away from what was and look toward what can be. Turn toward the Light.

For He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10-11 NKJV

Lessons From A Spider…

I do have a few neurotic and irrational fears but spiders are not one of them. Thanks to E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web I’ve only viewed spiders as helpful…as long as they don’t crawl on me.

There are lots of spider webs in my garden these days. Makes me wonder if they are moving toward their eventual demise as “fair season” is underway here in Georgia. One of the great things about Charlotte was that she simply used what she had to make a difference.

Charlotte was smart.

She was also eager.

She could have simply felt bad for Wilbur and watched him go off to slaughter. Instead, she used what she had, her smarts and “web design” to save him. She didn’t do so seeking accolades for herself, her goal was simply to help someone in need.

How many times do we do “good deeds” expecting nothing in return?

Sure, it’s great when someone appreciates our efforts, but if they don’t we should not allow their indifference to dampen our joy of giving.

Wilbur was grateful for Charlotte’s efforts but people in our lives won’t always have that same affection for us when we do things that help them.

As I photographed my own “Charlotte,” I thought of what a great testimony this spider is.

My spider has done all it can to help itself by spinning a huge web. Now it simply waits patiently for breakfast to come to it. It is not crawling around stalking other bugs in my yard. The spider waits confidently knowing that what it needs will eventually find it.

How many of us are this confident in our faith?

We often sweat and toil trying to make things happen. We often struggle to keep our faith all the while playing out various scenarios in our mind. Very few of us wait as patiently and assuredly as this spider as we wait for God to deliver what we need.

Instead of waiting, many of us construct our webs without Divine guidance. We may waste time, energy and end up frustrated as we attempt to concoct our successes instead of “being still” and allowing God to work on our behalf.

Often, we strive to “do something” when all God really wants in a situation is for us to “be still and know Him.”

It takes maturity to wait patiently. Young children lack this trait. Some of us “older kids” take a bit longer to learn it as well. Yet, at some point we must mature from mere infants into mighty believers in regards to our faith.

I am waiting on a few things in my life to bear fruit even as I’ve made my share of mistakes while I wait. Despite my shortcomings, God proves Himself faithful again and again. I just need to remember God’s faithfulness the next time a crisis comes knocking on my door.

Patience and Expectancy. If God can speak through a donkey, surely I can learn a thing or two from a spider…

There are four things which are little on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
The rock badgers are a feeble folk,
Yet they make their homes in the crags;
The locusts have no king,
Yet they all advance in ranks;
The spider skillfully grasps with its hands,
And it is in kings’ palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28 NKJV

Wait On The Lord!

We all have days, stuck in our fears

Sometimes, those days turn into years

I’ve had some times, not one or two

To lean on God to get me through

Years later here, in such a way

God favored me, this awe filled day!

I stood my ground, I kept my joy

Chaos that loomed, was just a ploy

Today in peace, I would not stress

No fear today, I passed a test

When God answers us, with mighty roar

Our minds can’t see, what’s yet in store

God hears our whispers, feels our tears

His mighty hand to stem our fears

I see a “sign,” I stop and stare

Confirmed by things, only we two share

Out of the problem, God can form

His rare solutions, quiet my storm

Then bam, bam, bam; burdens off my back

Releasing blessings that strangle lack

God had a plan, from start to end

Transforms the broken, I’m on the mend

God heard my prayers, He hears yours too

Just don’t give up, He’ll get you through!

And years may pass, and that’s okay

Our Lord above, a better way….

To answered prayers

You’ve long forgot

Cast off, forgotten

Is not our lot

His joy above

Will find you too

Wait on the Lord

His Word is true

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart;Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NKJV